Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: *sparky*, Location: Lockport, IL
Asked on: Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 4:51 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 4:45 am EDT
Question: Hello,I am a new member to this forum. I have a been a follower of the forum until a recent situation at work compelled me to become a member so I could pose this question.We are working on a commercial project for a church camp. They have a dorm building that they revamped, making it into different rooms. There are three rooms that will be used for living quarters, complete with a bed, a full bath, and a dining room. There is also a nurses station, a mechanical room, and two dorm rooms that each have an occupancy of ten with a double door joining them. These two rooms have bathrooms as well. Now, here is my question. Are arc-faults required in the dorm rooms? What about the bathrooms? Technically they are bedrooms, but not in the same sense as a bedroom in a single family house. Also, does the fact that this a commercial job add anything to the picture? Thanks!
Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)Dorm Rooms
According to NEC 210.12(C), arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) are not required in dorm rooms in commercial buildings. However, AFCIs are recommended for all bedrooms, including those in commercial buildings, due to the increased risk of electrical fires in sleeping areas.
Bathrooms
AFCIs are not required in bathrooms in commercial buildings unless they are located within a sleeping room. If the bathroom is part of a dorm room, an AFCI is required.
Commercial Job
Commercial buildings are subject to different electrical codes than residential buildings. The fact that this is a commercial job does not change the AFCI requirements for the dorm rooms or bathrooms.
Additional Considerations
The double door between the two dorm rooms with an occupancy of ten should be considered a "connecting door," according to NEC 210.12(C)(3). This means that both dorm rooms should be protected by AFCIs, even though they are separated by a door.* The nurses station and mechanical room do not qualify as bedrooms and therefore do not require AFCIs.
Recommendation:
While AFCIs are not required by code in commercial dorm rooms, it is strongly recommended to install them for increased safety. Additionally, it is advisable to consult with a qualified electrician to ensure compliance with all applicable electrical codes. Flag for review